Journey to the Worlds: Interview with Shaft Maker Bob Kent

All golf club shafts are not created equal. I learned first hand when I was doing extensive equipment testing with Leith Anderson of the Golf Lab that even identical-looking shafts from the same company, with the same frequency and flex specification, can vary significantly. And then, of course, the club performance will vary as well.

So I’m picky about the shafts I use in my long drive clubs and in my playing driver.

A few years ago a new shaft company called “House of Forged” burst on the long drive scene and proceeded to notch a win in the World Long Drive Championship. I got a chance to experiment with House of Forged shafts and there’s no denying the quality and reliability. I have them in a couple of long drive clubs, and I use House of Forged in my playing driver.

A short while ago the founder of House of Forged, Robert Kent, paid a visit to my office (the range) to work with some of our local long drivers. I grabbed Bob for an impromptu interview. Bob is very knowledgeable and articulate, and I think you’ll find his insights thought-provoking.

Hey, just because I’m a bit out of commission with the torn rotator cuff doesn’t mean that I’m not constantly learning at every opportunity. Anything for that slight edge …

Here is the interview with Bob.

Please post a comment and click the “Like” button. I’d love to hear from you.

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3 Responses

I have slowed my swing down to hit more accurately. Obviously with the increased accuracy I’ve lost about 15 yards. Here in the desert I use to hit 300 yard drives regularly and now it’s more like 280. I’m wondering if my shaft is now too stiff as it seems like I’m not getting much out of it. I’m not complaining at the accuracy for my scores, but the loss in distance is a little blow to the ego LOL!

Have been using all your techniques for driving longer drives, but how do you know if you are using the optimal shaft for you? I do club repair and have a working knowledge, but how do YOU arrive a the best shaft? Many thanks!

Hi John,
Good question, and a VERY complicated one to answer for me. But that’s because in long drive I am operating at the extreme edge of performance. Every yard counts, and every ball in the grid counts.
The short answer to your question is that I test everything.
Through testing I have been able to narrow the range of club specifications to the ones that allow me to perform best. We build clubs within that range, then I test them on the range using both visual results as well as statistics from a launch monitor.
In the end it is the performance that matters most.
Here are some of the variables:
Driver loft. Driver loft affects both launch angle, trajectory, and spin rates. My goal is to optimize trajectory for the best combination of carry/roll-out. The ideal launch angle for me is about 13 degrees with a spin rate around 2,200 rpms to create a relatively flat, or parabolic, trajectory. For most amateurs launch angle should be a little – 14 to 16 degrees, and spin rates should be around 3,000 to 3,500 rpms. The longer a ball stays in the air the farther it will travel. I’ve found through experimentation that a 5 degree loft in my long drive clubs gives me the launch angle and spin rate I’m looking for. In my playing driver, however, I use either a 7.5 or 8.5 degree loft. My playing driver is shorter (45 inches vs a 48 inch long drie club), and the difference in length affects launch angle as well as spin.
SHAFT. As you heard from Robert Kent’s talk the shaft may be the most critical component of the club. There are a lot of variables to play with: length, stiffness, kickpoint, torque, spine orientation, and weight. The critical thing about the shaft is to get it to release correctly at impact. And that depends on the type of swing you have. I have a relatively smooth and constant acceleration from the top of the backswing through impact, so I am looking for a shaft that doesn’t release until impact. By using high-speed video I’ve learned that my shaft loads at the top, unloads as I start my downswing, reloads about half-way down the backswing, and releases at impact. For me, a stiffer shaft performs better. But many long drivers and even amateurs get their hands to the impact area so fast that the shaft doesn’t have time to unload, reload, and release. Their sequence is load-release. A more flexible shaft seems to work better for these types of swings. What I’m looking for at impact on the high speed video is to see the shaft bending so that the clubhead is ahead of the shaft. We experiment with different kick-points to see how they affect the shaft release. We’re adjusting the kickpoint by either tipping the shaft or by stiffening the butt end with a special insert. Thus far I’ve had the best results by stiffening the grip end of the shaft. That allows me to get more of a crack-the-whip effect. But again my goals in long drive are different than when I play. In long drive I’m after maximum distance. When I play it’s far more important for me to hit fairways, so I am after maximum consistency. In my playing driver I use a high-quality shaft from House of Forged with very low twist or torque. It doesn’t maximize my distance, but it does allow me to find more fairways.
Hope this helps. Great question!
Thanks!
Eric

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

"Eric, This is superb instruction. Very clear and easy to understand. I have countless books and videos on golf instruction but you are the first person to explain these principles so clearly. I have been struggling for years with hitting from the top and now after watching just a couple of videos I have very clear idea of how to finally overcome it. Thank you very much." Don

"Eric - After the dozens of lessons I have had from accomplished PGA pros and the hundreds of hours I have spent practicing my swing I did not believe I would ever be able to overcome my obsession with the mechanics of the swing. Nor did I believe it was even possible to will myself into “the zone” and, potentially, stay there for long periods in spite of the chaos going on around me. Nor did I believe I could apply the concepts involved in the full swing to every part of my game with ease and immediate results. After reading The Five Keys to Distance and practicing your drills for a few months I now know I was wrong on all counts! Your methods are pure genius!" JM

Hi Eric,
"I wanted to send you a big thanks to your 5 Keys to Distance program. It has done two very important things with my golf. The first is that it has increased my ball flight carry by 10% in only a few weeks. And secondly and the most satisfying is it has given my whole golf game in particular my shots from scoring range (100 yards and closer to the green) pure control with my centered balance. So I can't thank you enough. Your balance drills I do without fail each morning before breakfast, and it will continue to be my daily routine. Without Balance The Club Can Not Swing!! Kind regards." Clayton P.

"Eric, I know you promised me 20 more yards with my driver. I'm actually getting more like 30 yards and sometimes even 50 more yards. But what you didn't mention is the added distance WITH EVERY CLUB IN MY BAG! I'm hitting all my irons at least one club longer, plus I'm really compressing the ball now. It's so much fun! You should tell everyone about this "extra" benefit from your program!" Gerry M.

"Eric, I have to tell you that I’m absolutely delighted with your drills. They make perfect sense to me, and I’m actually enjoying doing them because I can tell intuitively that they will make a real difference. I have for a long time avoided going to the range because I felt that I was simply reinforcing my mistakes. I am going to the range now with quite a different attitude because after only two sessions on the range I can see improvement already. I’m determined to keep up with the drills, and I can tell you that your presentation of them is excellent. I’ve had lots of lessons in the past from some of the best "swing gurus" in the world. But none of them have made a real difference to my swing like you have. I’m very excited now because I can already feel the difference. Best wishes" Jeff W.

“Eric, After several weeks of study and practice on the first section of BLAST the results have been OUTSTANDING! At age 73 my driver length ranged between 175 yards and 210 yards. Now with some extensive training from you the distances are ranging from 220 yards to 255 yards. The 255 yd. distance was achieved after working on the BALANCE, LEVERAGE & ARC WIDTH drills. Thank you for your help. I almost resigned myself to play from the seniors tee or give up golf!” Dick B.

"I just wanted to follow up with you regarding my progress while using your program. After just 3 months I am seeing a lot of new and exciting things happening to my golf swing. I find that I am hitting all of my clubs longer and more squarely than ever before. Every shot I hit now feels like it is hitting the sweet spot and is going very straight. My club head speed use to be about 90 mph now my club head speed is on average 110 mph. The main key for me was increasing my hip speed and reducing my grip pressure. My old swing was very arm dependent and now it feels like I can swing much faster with a lot less effort. Thank you again for your great series." Jorge O.

"Hi Eric, I recently purchased your instructional videos on Long Drive. They are the best golf teaching tool I have ever found. Your explanations of what to do and why are outstanding. I am a structural engineer and have a good understanding of the physics, mechanics and dynamics of the golf swing, so your explanations are especially meaningful to me. At age 63, I am still reasonably fit and strong, and your instructional videos have increased my average distance per club by 15 to 30 yards. Thanks for excellent videos!” Barry

Hi Eric,
"I ordered your book and DVD a few weeks ago and I'm getting a lot out of it! I'm going very slowly, but thoroughly. Thanks very much for writing it. I've read tons of golf books, but no one has ever put as much emphasis on balance and FEELING what the body is doing during the swing. The drills bypass the intellect and force the body to "get it" directly." Pete

"Eric, I received your book yesterday and have been reading it and highlighting ever since. Your book, DVD, and interviews are awesome!! Just what I have been looking for a very long time. I can tell already that I need to build up some stabilizing muscles in my body. Thanks again for your dedicated research and sharing this incredible book with your fellow golfers." Mike P.

“Just want to tell you that I've been doing the drills for a few weeks now, up to the swing arc drills, and am noticing much improvement at the range. I can't wait to take it out to the course. Thanks for simplifying golf instruction for me!" Rick P.

Dear Eric
"Instantly you made the game fun again. The consistency was amazing, both as to direction as well as trajectory and shot shape. Even the sound of the iron shots was much better. Thanks for an exciting round. I love working through all the steps and drills. Greens in regulation are now the rule and not the exception. More distance, less effort, more accuracy, no sore muscles, more fun." Ron G.

"Eric, best investment I've made so far in all the you know whats out there. I played nine and was nailing my tee shots like I haven't seen in ages. I haven't been more encouraged ever." Peter S.

"Eric, You have an uncanny ability to break down the components of the golf swing into simple terms with great clarity. I gain additional insight each time I read your book “5 Keys to Distance” and review this video. Thank you soooo much. When is your next book coming out? Please put me down for the first release." Orson L.